Book Design Process

A well-designed book follows a few stages. Check out the steps below to get an idea of the timeline for your title.

Get me started with your ideas and files

After an initial phone or Zoom consultation, I can review your book materials, including; cover ideas, cover copy, full-edited manuscript and photos. I will review your materials to get a feel for the subject, genre and your preferences. I will also check file formats and we let you know if anything obvious is missing.

I will then provide a proposal, contract, timeline, and an invoice for half-down. When these are completed, I can begin the design process!

Drafts and mockups

Using a little design magic, I'll create one to three rough draft concepts for your book cover. After emailing to you for feedback, I will refine it to a single front cover design.

For your text layout, I'll import your files into Adobe InDesign to create a few sample pages for your review. You will be able to evaluate typefaces, sizes, chapter page designs and photograph placement. I'll make any adjustments needed until we have agreed together on a text layout mockup.

Design Completion

I will then design your complete book cover design including back cover, spine and barcode with price.

I'll then format your book one page at a time. I will add all photos and captions, table-of-contents, and any illustrations, charts or graphics. What results will be a complete text layout.

Proofing stage

I will email a PDF of your complete text and cover for you to proof. (If you need to see a printed proof, you will need to obtain that from your printer). After you carefully review your proofs, send back a single list of changes to make. We will go back and forth as much as needed.

Final approval

After we are finished with the back-and-forth proofing process, you will be able to officially approve your proof as ready for production. I will then provide you with print-ready files to provide to your printer.